Handheld shaker bottle with dispensing cap

Abstract

A handheld container for dispensing particulate matter having an opening and a moveable cover for the opening positioned at the bottom of the container. The cover has a pivoting lid that can selectively open or close the opening of the container and assist with dispersal of particulate from the container while a user holds the container in an upright position. The lid may swing outward from the container or hinge into an open position and include a series of ribs for improving the dispersal of particulate.

Claims

1. A dispensing cap for a container that holds particulate, comprising: a base configured for removable attachment to a mouth of the container and having a port formed therethough for restricting the flow of particulate out of the container, wherein the base extends along a first plane defined by the mouth of the container and the cover is coupled to the base via a pivot so that the cover pivots along a second plane that is parallel to the first plane; a cover pivotally mounted to the base and moveable between a first position, wherein the cover includes a channel that is misaligned with the port when the cover is in the first position and is aligned with the port of the base when the cover is in the second position and the cover is dimensioned to extend beyond the container to which base is attached when it is in the second position, wherein the cover prohibits particulate matter from exiting port of the base and a second position, wherein the cover permits particulate matter to exit the port of the base; wherein the cover includes a series of ribs extending from a first position positioned proximately to the mouth of the container to a second portion positioned proximately to a peripheral edge of the cover and the series of ribs define a path for the flow of particulate that is parallel to the first plane.

2. The dispensing cap of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a dimple positioned between the series of ribs to redirect particulate that flows from the mouth of the container and across the cover.

3. A method of dispensing particulate from a container, comprising the steps of: providing a dispensing cap on a mouth of the container, wherein the dispensing cap includes a base having a port formed therethough for restricting the flow of particulate out of the container, wherein the base extends along a first plane defined by the mouth of the container and the cover is coupled to the base via a pivot so that the cover pivots along a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between a first position, wherein the cover includes a channel that is misaligned with the port when the cover is in the first position and is aligned with the port of the base when the cover is in the second position and the cover is dimensioned to extend beyond the container to which base is attached when it is in the second position, wherein the cover prohibits particulate matter from exiting port of the base and a second position, wherein the cover permits particulate matter to exit the post of the base, wherein the cover includes a series of ribs extending from a first point proximate to the mouth of the container to a second point proximate to a peripheral edge of the cover and the series of ribs define a path for the flow of particulate that is parallel to the first plane; moving the cover from the first position to the second position to at least partially open the container via the port of the base; and positioning the container so that the mouth of the container is pointed downwardly and gravity will feed any particulate in the container through the port of the base; and gently shaking the container to distribute particulate through the port of the base onto the cover of the dispensing cap.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of moving the cover from the first position to the second position comprising pivoting the cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in a closed position according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in an open position according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is bottom view of an embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in a closed position according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is bottom view of an embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in an open position according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross section of a particular container having a dispensing cap according to the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in a closed position according to the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in an open position according to the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in a closed position according to the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a particular container having a dispensing cap in an open position according to the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross section of a particular container having a dispensing cap according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there seen in FIG. 1 a container 10 for holding and dispensing particulate matter. Container 10 includes a handle 12 and an opening 14 covered by a dispensing cap 16. Handle 12 and opening 14 are positioned about container 10 so that opening 14 faces downward when a user is holding handle 12 and container 10 is in an upright position, thus allowing gravity to assist with the flow of particulate out of container 10 through opening 14. A dispensing cap 16 comprising a base 18 may be removably coupled to container 10, such as via corresponding threads on the interior of base 18 and the exterior of opening 14. Dispensing cap 16 includes a cover 20 that is pivotally mounted to base 18 for movement between a closed position and a dispensing position.

(13) Referring to FIG. 2, in a first embodiment, cover 20 of dispensing cap 16 comprises a disk 22 coupled to base 18 by a pivot 36. As seen in FIG. 5, base 18 includes a body 24 defining a port 26 formed therethrough that is dimensioned to regulate the amount of particulate that can flow to cover 20. Disk 22 includes a first portion 28 that blocks port 26 when cover 20 in the closed position, and a channel 30 that is in communication with port 26 when cover 20 in in the open position. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, disk 22 is pivotal through a plane that is parallel to the plane of body 24 of base 18 to extend outwardly from container 10. Disk 22 further includes a series of ribs 32 and a central dimple 34 positioned along the plane of disk 22 that are in communication with channel 30 to guide particulate flowing through port 26 across the exposed width of cover 20 and thus improve dispersal. Cover 20 may be thus moved between a first position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, where cover 20 prevents any particulate held within container 10 from exiting through opening 14, and a second position, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, where cover 20 extends outwardly from container 10 and allows any particulate in container 10 to exit opening 14 and be dispensed across the extended portion of cover 20. When cover 20 is pivoted into the open position, particulate may be dispensed from container 10 while it is in the upright position via a combination of gravity and shaking of container 10 by a user that is holding handle 12. User can simply open cover 20 and does not also to invert container 10. As a result, container 10 can be held in a more ergonomic position, placing less strain on the hands and arm of a user. In addition, the extension of cover 20 beyond container 10 when placed into the open position allows for particulate to be spread more evenly from container 10 and to be more easily directed under an object, such as a car tire, ledge, or stair, and similar difficult to reach locations.

(14) Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, in a second embodiment, cover 20 may comprise an L-shaped scoop 40 pivotally mounted to base 18 for movement between a closed position where scoop 40 is held closely along the bottom and side of container 10, and an open, dispensing position, where scoop 40 extends outwardly from container 10. Referring to FIG. 10, hinge 42 for scoop 40 is formed from a concave cavity 44 that extends laterally across base 18 and a barrel 46 formed in the hinge end of scoop 40 that is positioned with cavity 44 of base 18. Cavity 44 has a slot 48 formed through its inner wall that is in communication with opening 14 so that particulate can pass through opening 14 and then through slot 48. Barrel 46 of scoop 40 includes a corresponding slot 50 formed therethrough that is positioned to align with slot 46 of cavity 44 only when scoop 40 is in the open or deployed position, thereby allowing material to flow out of container 10 through slot 48 and slot 50 and across one side of scoop 40. When scoop 40 is in the closed position, slot 48 and slot 50 are misaligned so that no particulate can exit. Scoop 40 may also include a series of ribs 32 in communication with slot 50 to guide particulate flowing across scoop 40 for improved dispersal. Thus, scoop 40 extends along a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of base 18 when in the closed position and extends along a plane that is more closely parallel to base 18 when scoop 40 is in the open position.

(15) The present invention thus provides a particulate container having an opening positioned at the bottom and a cover with a moveable lid for selectively opening and closing the opening of the container. When held by a handle in an upright position, the opening is positioned at the bottom of the container so that particular can be shaken and gravity fed out of the opening. The lid may have a cover that swings between closed and open positions and allows particulate to be fed from the container through a distribution channel when in the open position, or a scoop that pivots between a closed and open position and allows particular to be fed from the container through the hinge of the scoop when in the open position.